Baccalaureate Programs

Oakton offers courses equivalent to those taken during the first two years of undergraduate education at four-year colleges and universities. Students may earn associate in arts or associate in science degrees by completing stipulated graduation requirements. The A.A. in Liberal Arts and the A.S. in General Science comprise what is commonly known as liberal arts and sciences. 

Liberal Arts at Oakton
A liberal education—one with a firm foundation in arts, humanities and social sciences—is important because no matter how specialized a career may be, communication skills, an understanding of different cultures and value systems and training in critical thinking serve and shape even the most technological societies. With planning, many liberal arts courses satisfy general education requirements and can be transferred to most four-year schools. Students who have decided majors will find that many prerequisites in their fields can be satisfied at Oakton. 

Oakton offers special sequences of courses in certain transfer areas that are particularly appropriate for students intending to major in music, art, architecture or international studies. Students planning to pursue a four-year degree in any of these fields should consult the Student Services Center or the chairperson of the department for recommended coursework at Oakton. 

Courses in architectural design taken with appropriate general education and technology courses enable students to transfer to baccalaureate architecture programs. 

Economics: Oakton offers economics courses, from fundamentals for the business and economics major to consumer economics for everyone. The study of economics is prompted by the fact that resources are limited and not all human needs and desires can be met.  See the Historical and Policy Studies Department home page.

Geography: Through the study of social geography students learn about the social, cultural and economic relationships that both link and separate societies throughout the world.  See the Historical and Policy Studies Department home page.

History: Oakton offers numerous courses that explore cultures and patterns of behavior from earliest western civilization to more specialized areas, such as minorities in America.  See the Historical and Policy Studies Department home page.

Political Science: Oakton provides many opportunities to study the processes, institutions and activities of government. Courses in American political thought as well as comparative forms of government, public administration and international relations are included in this discipline.  See the Historical and Policy Studies Department home page.

Psychology: This discipline focuses on human behavior from childhood through adolescence, adulthood and old age. Courses include abnormal behavior, theories of personal growth and personality and organizational and educational psychology. See the Psychology Department home page.

Social Science: Courses in this interdisciplinary field cover such broad issues as global inter-dependence in ecological and nuclear relations and the social consequences of ethnicity. Major current issues facing the United States are studied in a frequently updated "topics" course. See the Social Science Department home page.

Sociology: Sociology is concerned with collective human behavior as it involves marriage, family and other social institutions. Topical courses on death and dying, crime and prejudice also are available.  See the Sociology Department home page.
 

Art: Oakton offers a full curriculum of art history and studio courses. From the fundamentals of two and three-dimensional art to advanced individual project courses in areas such as life drawing and ceramics, the curriculum is of value to the serious art student and those who appreciate the visual arts.  Oakton also offers a Graphic Design program offering both degree and certificate options. 

Humanities: These courses provide broad overviews of human creativity, constructs and concerns. As diverse in focus as film, architecture and philosophy, the courses trace the influence of social and historical factors and provide the context for evaluating artistic endeavors of a specific age.  See the Philosophy and Humanities Department home page.

Music: Like its art curriculum, Oakton’s music courses are for the musician as well as the listener. Courses with a humanities approach cover the history, development of styles and vocabulary of music. In studio courses, students can develop playing techniques in either class or private study on many instruments in preparation for performance or further study. 

Philosophy: The curriculum provides basic courses in logic and ethics, as well as specialized courses in business and medical ethics and the philosophy of aesthetics, religion, knowledge and science.  See the Philosophy and Humanities Department home page.

Theater: Like art and music offerings, theater courses serve the performer and the audience. Courses cover areas such as theater history, acting, directing and theater operation, as well as providing credit for participation in major college productions. 
 
 

Communications: Students can explore the role of the media in society, with emphasis on electronic media. See the Communications/Television Services home page.  

English: A wide variety of courses are offered in this discipline. Non-native speakers will find courses especially for them in reading, writing, grammar, study skills, composition and speech. Traditional freshman composition, creative writing and literature courses are offered for those working toward an English major. Business and technical communications courses are also available.  See the English Department home page.

Speech: Courses in vocal training, group discussion, persuasive speaking and debate are of value in many careers not directly related to public speaking and are an important part of a liberal education. The curriculum also includes beginning and intermediate courses in sign language. 

Oakton offers two years of study in each of ten languages: Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, and Spanish. Emphasis is placed on developing functional proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing. See the Modern Languages home page.

Besides helping physical education majors meet prerequisites in their field, Oakton’s physical education courses help all students keep fit and active, developing exercise habits that serve them well for years to come.

General Science
General Science at Oakton responds to society’s increasing involvement with and dependency on science and technology. No matter what a student’s eventual career choice may be, a background in chemistry, mathematics, computer science or any of a number of other sciences will be of benefit. With careful planning students who have selected a science major can satisfy many science prerequisites at Oakton and transfer these credits to other colleges. 

Biology: Oakton offers a solid background in biology both for intended biology majors and students who need to meet science distribution requirements. From general courses through specialized courses in human anatomy, microbiology, zoology and botany, the science of living things is well covered at Oakton. 

Chemistry: The chemistry curriculum at Oakton begins with courses for students who have not had high school chemistry, continues through general college chemistry, and progresses to advanced courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry and quantitative analysis. 

Earth Science: The curriculum includes courses both for science majors and non-science majors in geology, environmental science and such other interest-related fields as astronomy, oceanography and meteorology. 

Mathematics and Computer Science: Oakton offers many courses in this area. Courses represent all levels of study from elementary through advanced. Mathematics is also one of the fundamental skill areas for students considering further study.  See the Mathematics and Computer Science home pages

Natural Science: These courses give a broad introduction to basic elements and principles of astronomy and space, earth, physical, and environmental and life sciences. The courses provide opportunities for exploration as well as a way of meeting general science requirements. Courses in oceanography and weather and climate enable students to focus on specific areas of interest. 

Physics: Basic physics courses are offered in three tracks: one for liberal arts, life, and health science students; one for engineering and physical science students; and one for students in occupational programs. See the Physics Department home page.

General Business/Business Administration

 Oakton offers suggested preparation in the A.A. in Liberal Arts curriculum for students planning to transfer to senior institutions and to major in business. For more information, see the section on General Business/Business Administration.  See the Business at Oakton home page.

Engineering
Oakton offers an associate degree in engineering that provides the first two years of undergraduate engineering courses.